Six Nations 2010 | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/six-nations-2010
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017Fri, 18 Aug 2017 04:22:48 GMT2017-08-18T04:22:48Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
England's captain Lewis Moody diagnosed with mild ligament strainhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/aug/09/england-captain-lewis-moody-injury
• Flanker suffered injury in World Cup warm-up win over Wales<br />• RFU 'optimistic' over his progress ahead of tournament<p>The England captain, Lewis Moody, has been diagnosed as having suffered a mild strain of the medial ligament in his right knee.</p><p>Moody underwent a scan on Monday and the Rugby Football Union is "optimistic" over his progress ahead of the World Cup squad announcement on 22 August. But no target date has been set for his return to action by the England medics.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/aug/09/england-captain-lewis-moody-injury">Continue reading...</a>Lewis MoodyEngland rugby union teamRugby World Cup 2011Rugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Rugby World CupTue, 09 Aug 2011 11:53:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/aug/09/england-captain-lewis-moody-injuryPhotograph: Stefan Wermuth/ReutersLewis Moody suffered the injury during England's World Cup warm-up win over Wales at Twickenham. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/ReutersPhotograph: Stefan Wermuth/ReutersLewis Moody suffered the injury during England's World Cup warm-up win over Wales at Twickenham. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/ReutersPress Association2011-08-09T11:53:17ZWales 19-13 Ireland | Six Nations match reporthttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/12/wales-ireland-six-nations-rugby-union
• Wales 19-13 Ireland<br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/mar/12/six-nations-wales-ireland-rate-players" title="Now rate the players">Now rate the players</a><p>They just cannot stop winning, those Welsh, which is something no one expected us to be saying a few weeks ago. Nor will anyone in Wales be getting too carried away, even if their chances of winning the Six Nations remain alive. Because not only was this a wild game without structure, it was a game won by a suitably lawless piece of opportunism.</p><p>Jonathan Sexton had just come on for Ronan O'Gara, around 10 minutes into the second half, when he skewed a kick straight into touch. The ball went beyond the advertising hoardings and into the hands of the crowd. Meanwhile, Matthew Rees quietly collected another ball from an official and prepared to take the lineout, just inside the Irish half.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/12/wales-ireland-six-nations-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a>Wales rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamSix Nations 2010Six NationsRugby unionSportSat, 12 Mar 2011 19:20:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/12/wales-ireland-six-nations-rugby-unionPhotograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesMike Phillips dives past the challenge of Ireland's Tommy Bowe to score a try for Wales. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesMike Phillips dives past the challenge of Ireland's Tommy Bowe to score a try for Wales. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesMichael Aylwin at the Millennium Stadium2011-03-12T19:20:15ZItaly 22-21 France | Six Nations match reporthttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/12/italy-france-six-nations-rugby-union
• Italy 22-21 France<br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/mar/12/six-nations-italy-france-rate-players" title="Tell us your player ratings">Give us your player ratings</a><p>With a dogged display that is becoming less of a rarity from Roman ranks, Italy came from 12 points down in the Stadio Flaminio to beat France for the first time in the Six Nations.</p><p>The Italians were behind from the 14th minute until the 74th, when their kicker Mirco Bergamasco landed a touchline penalty – his fifth of the afternoon – to hand Nick Mallett's team victory and their biggest scalp of 11 seasons in the competition.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/12/italy-france-six-nations-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a>Italy rugby union teamFrance rugby union teamSix Nations 2010Six NationsRugby unionSportSat, 12 Mar 2011 16:24:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/12/italy-france-six-nations-rugby-unionPhotograph: Max Rossi/ReutersFrance's Morgan Parra can't stop Andrea Masi scoring a try for Italy during the Six Nations game in Rome. Photograph: Max Rossi/ReutersPhotograph: Max Rossi/ReutersFrance's Morgan Parra can't stop Andrea Masi scoring a try for Italy during the Six Nations game in Rome. Photograph: Max Rossi/ReutersMike Averis at the Stadio Flaminio2011-03-12T16:24:58ZBen Youngs hazy on family history as he seeks to write his own legacyhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/06/ben-youngs-england-rugby-union
Scrum-half seems in the dark about his dad's England exploits as he follows his own path on the international stage<p>For someone who prepares for a match as if it were an exam, Ben Youngs is extraordinarily vague about the past when confronted with a microphone. His memory lapses ahead of England's game against Scotland next weekend include the result of his own debut for England against them only a year ago and whether or not his father, Nick, had ever played against Scotland.</p><p>"You're testing my memory now," he says. "We drew, didn't we?" Correct. The Scots charged down a late drop-goal attempt by Toby Flood in a tryless, 15-all snore.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/06/ben-youngs-england-rugby-union">Continue reading...</a>England rugby union teamSix Nations 2010Six NationsRugby unionSportSun, 06 Mar 2011 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/06/ben-youngs-england-rugby-unionPhotograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesBen Youngs passes the ball out of the scrum during England's Six Nations match against Italy last month. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesBen Youngs passes the ball out of the scrum during England's Six Nations match against Italy last month. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesKevin Mitchell2011-03-06T00:01:00ZSix Nations 2011: England v Italy - in pictureshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2011/feb/12/six-nations-2011-england-italy
Tom Jenkins brings you all the action from Twickenham as England thrash Italy <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2011/feb/12/six-nations-2011-england-italy">Continue reading...</a>Six Nations 2010England rugby union teamItaly rugby union teamRugby unionSportSat, 12 Feb 2011 21:04:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2011/feb/12/six-nations-2011-england-italyPhotograph: Tom Jenkins for the ObserverChris Ashton scores his 1st try Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the ObserverPhotograph: Tom Jenkins for the ObserverChris Ashton scores his 1st try Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the ObserverTom Jenkins2011-02-12T21:04:00ZLoss of Courtney Lawes a major blow for Martin Johnson and England | Robert Kitsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/jan/11/martin-johnson-england-six-nations
The England manager has some forward knots to untangle as his planning for the Six Nations and the World Cup suffers hammer blows<p>The biggest year of Martin Johnson's managerial career has not started well. In a perfect world his Six Nations squad announcement tomorrow would simply be a case of dotting a few i's and naming a familiar 32-man party who will also clamber aboard the plane to New Zealand this August. Instead he is facing up to the loss of his two most athletic forwards, if not for the entire championship then for a big chunk of it.</p><p>The prospect of Courtney Lawes being sidelined for up to three months with damaged knee ligaments is both untimely and deeply unfortunate for his club, Northampton, and his country. Tom Croft is already a non-starter for at least England's opening two games, against Wales and Italy, because of a fractured shoulder blade and will need to regain match fitness before he can hope for an international return. Add in the long suspension handed down to Gloucester's Dave Attwood and Dylan Hartley's attack of the throwing wobbles at Leicester last week and Johnson has some forward knots to untangle.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/jan/11/martin-johnson-england-six-nations">Continue reading...</a>Martin JohnsonEngland rugby union teamSix Nations 2010Rugby World Cup 2011Six NationsNorthamptonRugby unionSportRugby World CupTue, 11 Jan 2011 13:10:43 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/jan/11/martin-johnson-england-six-nationsPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesThe absence of Courtney Lawes means Martin Johnson may be unable to field his first-choice England team in its entirety for more than a game or two prior to the World Cup. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesThe absence of Courtney Lawes means Martin Johnson may be unable to field his first-choice England team in its entirety for more than a game or two prior to the World Cup. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesRobert Kitson2011-01-11T13:10:43ZNo substitute for an impact player like this on a wet night in Flanders | Harry Pearsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/26/impact-substitutes-players-flanders
So far nobody has come up with a name for these inefficacious space-fillers, possibly to avoid undermining team confidence<p>On Saturday night I watched the France v England rugby match with a friend and his 14-year-old son. Watching sport with a teenager is a dangerous business when you are careening down life's luge-track towards the nasty bend known as Big Five-Zero. As a man gets older the impulse to didacticism increases in direct proportion to his inability to remember what the hell he is talking about.</p><p>"Well, good God," you find yourself saying when some young fellow expresses surprise at England's selection policy, "It's obvious, isn't it? It's because the, you know, the one with the insulating tape round his ears who used to play for… Leicester was it? Oh come on, he was involved in that business where he drank the cleaning fluid and thought he was a rockery? Or was that Jamie… The chap whose face was so squashed up it looks like he's wrapped in rubber bands. Used to knock around with that woman who was in that thing on the telly with the Yorkshire people in it? No, not Emmerdale! The police one…" By which time you have completely lost sight of whatever point, if any, you were trying to make in the first place and are forced to adopt the fall-back position of simply snorting and saying: "Well, to be honest, I can't help wondering what JPR Williams would have made of it all."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/26/impact-substitutes-players-flanders">Continue reading...</a>England rugby union teamFrance rugby union teamSix NationsRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:05:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/26/impact-substitutes-players-flandersPhotograph: Tom JenkinsSebastién Chabal: the impact sub. Photograph: Tom JenkinsPhotograph: Tom JenkinsSebastién Chabal: the impact sub. Photograph: Tom JenkinsHarry Pearson2010-03-26T00:05:01ZMartin Johnson resists England coaching changes in Six Nations reviewhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/23/england-martin-johnson-six-nations
• Manager to meet elite rugby director Rob Andrew<br />• Former England prop Probyn calls for changes<p>The England manager, Martin Johnson, will resist any attempt to get him to change his coaching staff as part of a Rugby Football Union review of the international season. England won three of their eight Tests and finished third in the Six Nations, which they have not won since 2003.</p><p>Johnson will this morning meet the RFU's elite rugby director, Rob Andrew, to discuss the season and plot a way forward, with the 2011 World Cup 17 months away. The manager's position is not under threat but he will come under pressure from some at the RFU to review the structure and make-up of his coaching team.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/23/england-martin-johnson-six-nations">Continue reading...</a>Martin JohnsonEngland rugby union teamSix NationsRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:33:43 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/23/england-martin-johnson-six-nationsPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesEngland's manager, Martin Johnson, does not want to change his coaching team. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesEngland's manager, Martin Johnson, does not want to change his coaching team. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPaul Rees2010-03-23T21:33:43ZNot much to choose between the fish in the Six Nations pond | Eddie Butlerhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/the-breakdown-six-nations-france
France plodded across the grand slam line but really there is little to choose between them, England, Wales and Scotland<p>Italy and Mathieu Bastareaud sort of ran out of steam in the Six Nations. The country went from the high of beating Scotland to away defeats in Paris and Cardiff, the schedule not really giving them a chance to kick on, while the centre went from his opening games, when he was unstoppable, to being put in his place by a quite inspired Mike Tindall. Who'd have thought it?</p><p>There's no doubting the spirit of Italy. As long as they have the Bergamasco boys it seems they will go down snapping at their opponents, even if their limbs have been removed. Or rather, because their limbs have been removed. I quite like the notion of a pair of Bergamasco dentures chasing Wales off the park.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/the-breakdown-six-nations-france">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsFrance rugby union teamEngland rugby union teamScotland rugby union teamWales rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamItaly rugby union teamRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:41:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/the-breakdown-six-nations-francePhotograph: Tony Marshall/Empics sportFrance celebrate winning the Six Nations Championship and the grand slam. Photograph: Tony Marshall/Empics sportPhotograph: Tony Marshall/Empics sportFrance celebrate winning the Six Nations Championship and the grand slam. Photograph: Tony Marshall/Empics sportEddie Butler2010-03-22T14:41:06ZA Six Nations of warthogs, golf buggies and even some quite good rugby | Robert Kitsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/22/six-nations-review
The championship featured some great and some not so great games, so give thanks for the eccentricities of the event <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/22/six-nations-review">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:30:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/22/six-nations-reviewPhotograph: Stewart Kendall/Sportsphoto Ltd.This is not Warren Gatland, whatever Irish journalists try to tell us. Photograph: Stewart Kendall/Sportsphoto Ltd.Photograph: Stewart Kendall/Sportsphoto Ltd.This is not Warren Gatland, whatever Irish journalists try to tell us. Photograph: Stewart Kendall/Sportsphoto Ltd.Robert Kitson2010-03-22T07:30:01ZAndy Robinson has dogged Scotland moving in the right directionhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/scotland-ireland-six-nations-croke-park
• They were 'tremendous', says Scotland coach<br />• Declan Kidney bemoans Ireland's poor error count<p>For Andy Robinson, former maths teacher and born pragmatist, the numbers look a lot better at the end of his first year coaching Scotland than they did at the start. For Declan Kidney, former maths teacher and briefly disillusioned romantic, there are some tough times ahead.</p><p>That flipped scenario was not obvious for either going into their contest on Saturday at a venue fit for champions. It was Ireland's 14th match at the home of Gaelic sports before their return to Lansdowne Road and it was not a fond farewell.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/scotland-ireland-six-nations-croke-park">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsScotland rugby union teamIreland rugby union teamDeclan KidneyRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/scotland-ireland-six-nations-croke-parkPhotograph: Mike Egerton/Empics SportHead coach Andy Robinson is all smiles after Scotland beat Ireland in their final Six Nations game. Photograph: Mike Egerton/Empics SportPhotograph: Mike Egerton/Empics SportHead coach Andy Robinson is all smiles after Scotland beat Ireland in their final Six Nations game. Photograph: Mike Egerton/Empics SportKevin Mitchell2010-03-22T07:00:02ZToby Flood in full spate left François Trinh-Duc kicking against tidehttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/22/england-france-six-nations-tactics
England's ambition flowed through their fly-half in Paris but it left them vulnerable at times in a fascinating Six Nations finale <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/22/england-france-six-nations-tactics">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsFrance rugby union teamEngland rugby union teamRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:10:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/22/england-france-six-nations-tacticsPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesToby Flood attacks the French with ball in hand. Photograph: David Rogers/GettyPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesToby Flood attacks the French with ball in hand. Photograph: David Rogers/GettyPaul Rees2010-03-22T00:10:02ZFrance 12-10 England | Six Nations match reporthttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/france-england-six-nations
France 12-10 England<p>For some it is the journey that matters, for others it is purely about the destination. To dwell on the shaky manner in which France clinched a third Grand Slam in nine years does scant justice, for example, to their stirring deeds en route. England's late gallantry, similarly, could not entirely dispel the frustration which has dogged them all season. Had they played like this a little earlier, they would have saved themselves a whole load of hassle.</p><p>That was the view of the only victorious Englishman in Paris on Saturday. Dave Ellis, France's defence coach, wondered why it had taken eight Tests for Martin Johnson's men to produce such a bravura display. "I think it's just a shame they haven't had a go beforehand," said Ellis, basking in the glow of a fifth French title since 2002. "They've got to bite the bullet a bit and throw a few more young players in because they've nothing to lose. It's no good waiting until the championship is gone."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/france-england-six-nations">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsFrance rugby union teamEngland rugby union teamRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Ben FodenMon, 22 Mar 2010 00:10:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/france-england-six-nationsPhotograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesBen Foden keeps the ball moving despite the attentions of François Trinh-Duc, right, and Yannick Jauzion. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesBen Foden keeps the ball moving despite the attentions of François Trinh-Duc, right, and Yannick Jauzion. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesRobert Kitson at Stade de France2010-03-22T00:10:02ZWales 33-10 Italy | Six Nations match reporthttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/wales-italy-six-nations-warren-gatland
Wales 33-10 Italy<p>While no one would ever suggest that Wales have lost their habit of sacking coaches on the eve of World Cups, this three-try win to round off the Six Nations did at least buy time for Warren Gatland.</p><p>Formal acknowledgement of his status will depend on a Welsh Rugby Union inquest into why Wales finished fourth for a second year running. The New Zealander said: "You live and die by five games in the Six Nations. You can be a hero one Six Nations and, for whatever reason, the next Six Nations you get the sack. We are pretty aware of that."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/wales-italy-six-nations-warren-gatland">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsItaly rugby union teamWales rugby union teamWarren GatlandRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:05:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/22/wales-italy-six-nations-warren-gatlandPhotograph: Russell Cheyne/ReutersThe Wales full-back, Lee Byrne, is brought down by the Italy defence at the Millennium Stadium. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/ReutersPhotograph: Russell Cheyne/ReutersThe Wales full-back, Lee Byrne, is brought down by the Italy defence at the Millennium Stadium. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/ReutersMike Averis at the Millennium Stadium2010-03-22T00:05:36ZMartin Johnson can learn from Marc Lièvremont's Anglo-Saxon attitudeshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/21/england-france-six-nations-grand-slam
France's win was based on solid English virtues instilled by a coach who makes rugby his study as well as his living<p>Who would have bet as much as sixpence on England's backs outshining their counterparts and scoring the only try in a drenched Stade de France while the red-rose forwards, managed by Martin Johnson and coached by John Wells, dissolved under pressure from the blue-jerseyed pack? Drawing firm conclusions from the events of Saturday is a business fraught with hazards.</p><p>"They played like France and we played like England," Morgan Parra, the scorer of nine of the home side's 12 points, said afterwards. When he elaborated, it was in exactly the sort of terms that one might more usually have expected from his opposite number: "We knew all week that it was going to be tough, and the weather didn't help. You have to know how to adapt to the conditions and to the opposition."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/21/england-france-six-nations-grand-slam">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsEngland rugby union teamFrance rugby union teamMartin JohnsonMarc LièvremontRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/21/england-france-six-nations-grand-slamPhotograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesMartin Johnson considers England's 12-10 defeat by France in Paris. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesMartin Johnson considers England's 12-10 defeat by France in Paris. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesRichard Williams2010-03-21T21:00:02ZInjured Brian O'Driscoll likely to miss Heineken Cup quarter-finalhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/21/brian-odriscoll-injury-six-nations
• The Ireland centre hurt his knee in Scotland defeat<br />• Gordon D'Arcy may also miss Leinster's quarter-final<p>Brian O'Driscoll is likely to miss Leinster's Heineken Cup quarter-final next month, according to BBC reports.</p><p>O'Driscoll injured his knee in Ireland's Six Nations defeat by Scotland on Saturday, and is expected to be out for around six weeks.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/21/brian-odriscoll-injury-six-nations">Continue reading...</a>Ireland rugby union teamLeinsterRugby unionSportSix NationsBrian O'DriscollSix Nations 2010Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:20:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/21/brian-odriscoll-injury-six-nationsPhotograph: Patrick Bolger/Getty ImagesBrian O'Driscoll hurt his knee as Ireland lost to Scotland in the Six Nations. Photograph: Patrick Bolger/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Patrick Bolger/Getty ImagesBrian O'Driscoll hurt his knee as Ireland lost to Scotland in the Six Nations. Photograph: Patrick Bolger/Getty ImagesAgencies2010-03-21T15:20:28Z'I always said I could handle the high ball,' says England's Ben Fodenhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/21/ben-foden-england-six-nations
• Full-back delighted at keeping calm under bombardment<br />• Hopes first Six Nations start has secured his place<p>Ben Foden always insisted the critics were wrong to doubt his nerve when the pressure was at its peak and the high balls came raining in. Against France he proved it with a full-back performance which gave England rugby genuine hope for the future.</p><p>What's more, he raced in for the only try of the match as England earned the plaudits despite France clinching a Six Nations grand slam with a 12-10 victory at a sodden Stade de France last night.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/21/ben-foden-england-six-nations">Continue reading...</a>England rugby union teamRugby unionSix NationsSportSix Nations 2010Ben FodenSun, 21 Mar 2010 14:42:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/21/ben-foden-england-six-nationsPhotograph: Ian Langsdon/EPAEngland's Ben Foden thrived at full-back in the Six Nations match in Paris. Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPAPhotograph: Ian Langsdon/EPAEngland's Ben Foden thrived at full-back in the Six Nations match in Paris. Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPAPress Association2010-03-21T14:42:23ZToby Flood arrives but still the flow is stifled | Richard Williamshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/21/toby-flood-france-england-six-nations
A strong statement and a strong start failed to propel England into expansive expression<p>There was a special cheer for Jonny Wilkinson when he was named as a replacement over the public address system 10 minutes before last night's kick-off, a touching demonstration that the fans in St George costumes and England replica shirts are unlikely ever to forget their debt to the former golden boy, the repository and concretiser of so many of their rugby dreams.</p><p>But now even Martin Johnson recognises that time has moved on, and for the opening 10 minutes in Saint‑Denis it seemed that the manager's much examined selectorial gambit had indeed been symbolic of a desire to put behind them the tiresome anti-rugby played by his side over the past six months.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/21/toby-flood-france-england-six-nations">Continue reading...</a>Six NationsFrance rugby union teamEngland rugby union teamRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/mar/21/toby-flood-france-england-six-nationsPhotograph: David Davies/PAToby Flood was unable to conjur a win for England as France held on to claim the grand slam. Photograph: David Davies/PAPhotograph: David Davies/PAToby Flood was unable to conjur a win for England as France held on to claim the grand slam. Photograph: David Davies/PARichard Williams2010-03-21T10:00:01ZEngland marks out of 10: Nick Easter the pick against France in Parishttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/21/england-six-nations-marks-out-of-10-france
England's hard-working No8 plays an influential role as he revels in the rain and mud at the Stade de France<p><strong>Ben Foden</strong> Full-back – 7</p><p>What a start. Looked quite happy with things after that. No problems under the high ball, which was the initial worry. Why have we had to wait so long?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/21/england-six-nations-marks-out-of-10-france">Continue reading...</a>England rugby union teamSix NationsSportFrance rugby union teamSix Nations 2010Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:21:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/21/england-six-nations-marks-out-of-10-francePhotograph: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty ImagesEngland's No8 Nick Easter produced an outstanding performance against France in Paris. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty ImagesEngland's No8 Nick Easter produced an outstanding performance against France in Paris. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesMichael Aylwin2010-03-21T00:21:41ZFrance marks out of 10: Nallet and Harinordoquy pick against Englandhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/20/france-marks-out-of-10-england
Imanol Harinordoquy, the No8, stands out, while lock forward Lionel Nallet also impresses – as a monster<p><strong>Clément Poitrenaud </strong>Full-back – 6</p><p>Looked very comfortable under the high ball in the rain for most of the game. Frayed a bit as the game reached the sharp end. Not for the first time …</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/20/france-marks-out-of-10-england">Continue reading...</a>France rugby union teamSix NationsRugby unionSportSix Nations 2010Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:30:59 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/20/france-marks-out-of-10-englandPhotograph: David Davies/PAFrance's Imanol Harinordoquy celebrates after his fine contribution to France's RBS Six Nations Championship win at the Stade de France. Photograph: David Davies/PAPhotograph: David Davies/PAFrance's Imanol Harinordoquy celebrates after his fine contribution to France's RBS Six Nations Championship win at the Stade de France. Photograph: David Davies/PAMichael Aylwin2010-03-20T23:30:59Z